Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Science - Department of Biophysics

The expansion of researches about magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONs) involved in several applications, especially in biomedicine and neurobiology urged to evaluate their possible toxicity. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate toxicity of MIONs which were synthesized using a carob leaf extract on various brain areas of Wistar rats. The MIONs were characterized using different techniques: Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS),Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), UV-Vis spectrophotometer, Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). The toxicity of MIONs in vivo was evaluated by: monitoring rats{u2019} body weight, measuring iron content in different brain areas, estimation of some oxidative stress parameters (Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), Nitric oxide (NO)), Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and Histopathological investigations. TEM images and topographic images of AFM demonstrated the spherical shape of MIONs. The size of particles was determined by using TEM and it was 15.63±2.38 nm, while the hydrodynamic diameter of particles was 80.18 ± 23.01 nm as obtained from dynamic light scattering technique.The stability of MIONs was confirmed by measuring zeta potential of particles which was -26.0 ± 2.55 mV. UV-Vis spectrum, FTIR analysis and XRD verified the successful synthesis of MIONs. AFM demonstrated the rough surface of MIONs

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